Chinese military started new major drills in the “middle areas” of the Taiwan Strait amid rising diplomatic tensions with Japan over Taiwan that Beijing claims as its territory.

China has begun a large-scale, multi-branch military exercise around Taiwan, underscoring Beijing’s long-standing claim that the island is an inseparable part of its territory. The drills, launched on Monday and code-named “Justice Mission 2025,” are being conducted by the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command and involve coordinated operations across several branches of the Chinese military.

China's military to hold live fire exercises near Taiwan, focusing on combat readiness and area control, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese army has released footage it says shows destroyers, frigates, fighter jets and bombers carrying out exercises around Taiwan. The large-scale show of force comes amid heightened tensions, notably following a major US arms sale to the island and after weeks of diplomatic disputes between Beijing and Tokyo.